Dustin Hermanson

Pitcher Dustin Hermanson routinely switched back and forth between starter and reliever roles throughout his 12-year major-league career. He had moderate success in both roles, saving his best season until the end of his career, when he recorded a career-high 34 saves for the 2005 Chicago White Sox, who won their first World Series since 1917. One of the defining characteristics of his tenure was that he was always willing to fill whatever role his team needed. A recurring back ailment ended his career prematurely at age 34.

Dustin Michael Hermanson was born in Springfield, Ohio, on December 21, 1972, to parents Michael and Jackie (Ruth) Hermanson. His mother and grandmother were part Cherokee and Seminole.1 Hermanson would become noted for his facial hair. At one point, he shaved his beard in the shape of a peace sign as a tribute to his Native American heritage.2 His father retired as a police officer and later owned a cleaning service business in Springfield. His mother was a social service worker. He had a sister, Jamie.3

One of Hermanson’s first brushes with notoriety didn’t involve baseball. As a 13-year-old in 1986, he was honored by the local fire department for alerting them to a fire in his neighbor’s house, in which no one was at home.4

But shortly after that incident, Hermanson was being mentioned in the Springfield newspapers for his participation on the Northridge Babe Ruth team that advanced to the state tournament in three straight seasons.5

Hermanson attended Kenton Ridge High School in Springfield. As a sophomore in 1989, the right-handed pitcher helped the team win its first-ever district championship.6 He was named to the 1990 Central Buckeye Conference All-League team.7 With one of his personal priorities to attend college, he signed a letter of intent to play for Kent State University before his senior baseball season.8

Hermanson led Kenton Ridge into the state playoffs in his senior year in 1991. His team lost in the state semifinal.9 He was named the Coaches All-Area team and honored as Player of the Year on the strength of his 9-0 record, 0.50 ERA, and 20 hits, 19 walks, and 97 strikeouts in 56 innings. He was also impressive as a batter, hitting .351 with 3 home runs and 24 RBIs.10 His performance began to attract major-league scouts’ attention.

Although he had already committed to Kent State, Hermanson said he was leaning toward signing professionally if he was selected in the June amateur draft. He estimated that his college scholarship was worth between $70,000 and $90,000. “If the money’s there, I’m going to sign,” he said. “The way I feel is, if I go to college and something happens to my arm, what happens then?” He added, “If I don’t get that, then I’ll go to Kent State. Either way. I plan to get a college education.”11

The decision on whether to attend Kent State was made easier since Hermanson wasn’t selected until the 39th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kent State’s baseball program had not historically been a strong one in recent years. Their most noteworthy alumni included former major leaguers Gene Michael, Al Oliver, and Thurman Munson from the 1960s. But that would change when Hermanson got there.

On an upper-classmen-dominated team, Hermanson pitched mostly in relief in his freshman season in 1992. Kent State won a school-record 45 wins against only 13 losses. The team was the regular-season champion and winner of the Mid-American Conference tournament in which Hermanson was named the MVP based on a tournament-record three saves.12 The team made its first NCAA Regional since 1964 but was eliminated by losses to Western Carolina and Florida State.13 Hermanson’s season stats included a 2-0 record, 5 saves, and a 1.24 ERA.14

In what became a common theme throughout his career, Hermanson was switched to the starting rotation in 1993. Kent State and Central Michigan finished in a tie for the regular-season conference title, with 35-12 records. Hermanson was named to the All-MAC team.15 Kent State led the nation in ERA, with Hermanson finishing with 1.90 for 11th place. He ranked 22nd in the nation in strikeouts with 10.2 per nine innings.16 Kent State won its second consecutive MAC tournament with a 4-1 record.17 The team advanced to the NCAA Regional tournament, where it lost in the semifinals to South Alabama.

Kent State won the regular-season conference title (33-15) in 1994 and was runner-up to Central Michigan in the MAC tournament. Hermanson was an All-MAC selection again. Kent State earned its third straight NCAA tournament bid but lost its first two games to the University of Miami and Minnesota. Hermanson finished with a 5-5 record, including four complete games, and a 3.39 ERA.18 He was named a 1994 finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur baseball player in the nation each year. Georgia Tech’s Jason Varitek, the future Boston Red Sox All-Star catcher, was the winner.19

Even though Hermanson’s junior season stats didn’t look all that impressive, he was selected by the San Diego Padres as the third overall pick in the first round. He trailed only Florida State’s All-American pitcher Paul Wilson and Texas high-school phenom Ben Grieve. Kent State teammate Travis Miller was selected by the Minnesota Twins as a supplemental pick (34th overall) in the first round.

Hermanson received a $960,000 bonus plus $45,000 earmarked for continuing his education. It was the largest signing bonus in Padres history.20

San Diego immediately targeted Hermanson as a relief pitcher. Hermanson embraced the role. “I like closing just because there’s a lot more pressure on you,” he said. “That’s the kind of pitcher I am. I want to be in those situations where everybody’s relying on what I do. I’m either going to win it or lose it. You’re going to get the glory or you’re going to be in the doghouse. I like taking those chances.”21

Hermanson was initially assigned to Double-A Wichita, where he demonstrated that the reliever role might be the right fit. He gave up only one earned run in 21 innings over 16 games, collecting eight saves. His performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, where his results were not as encouraging (6.14 ERA in seven appearances), albeit a small sample size.

The start of the 1995 major-league season was delayed by a player strike that began in August 1994. With the players union prohibiting major leaguers from participating in spring exhibition games, teams were allowing minor-league players to become replacement players.

In the Padres spring camp, general manager Randy Smith encouraged minor leaguers to play in exhibition games, but also indicated there would be no punishment by the team if they chose not to. Hermanson took the position of not playing. “If there’s any replacement players in an exhibition game, you won’t see me pitching in one,” he said. “I’m not going to go against the union. I’ve got a long career ahead of me.”22

The strike came to an official end on April 2, 1995. As the Padres prepared to start the delayed regular season two weeks later, they were looking for a middle reliever who could transition games from the starting rotation to closer Trevor Hoffman.23 However, Hermanson wasn’t deemed to be ready to fill the spot and started the 1995 season with Triple-A Las Vegas. But when the Padres’ bullpen began giving up too many runs, he was called up and made his major-league debut on May 8 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Entering the game with two on base and no outs, the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder pitched a scoreless seventh inning and picked up his first win. He was the first in his draft class to reach the majors.24

Over his next five appearances, Hermanson gave up only one run while picking up two more winning decisions. He made his third overall draft selection by the Padres look like a brilliant decision. But then he struggled through a stretch of six games in which he gave up 10 earned runs in only 4⅔ innings, triggering a demotion to Las Vegas to work on his mechanics. He returned to the Padres in mid-August, but his results in 14 games during the remainder of the season (5.95 ERA and 1.63 WHIP) weren’t much better.

Hermanson approached the 1996 season with a renewed confidence. Padres pitching guru Dan Warthen, who had spent a week working with him during his 1995 demotion, was the new Padres pitching coach.25 Hermanson didn’t win a roster spot with the Padres coming out of spring training. With Las Vegas again, he began to deliver the type of sustained performance the Padres were expecting. As the primary closer with the Stars, he collected 21 saves in 35 games he finished. He recorded a 3.13 ERA and 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in 42 appearances and earned an all-star selection. He was recalled by the Padres on August 1, but his performance for the balance of the season reverted back to his poor showing at the end of 1995. He was left off the Padres’ postseason roster after they won the NL West Division championship.

Because of his disappointing results, the Padres made Hermanson available on the trade market, and they ended up dealing him in November to the Florida Marlins for second baseman Quilvio Veras. Hermanson welcomed the change, since he felt the Padres had not given him a fair chance.26 With two spots open in the Marlins’ bullpen, he was initially slated to be a set-up man for closer Robb Nen.27

Aided by the addition of a changeup to go along with his fastball, Hermanson wanted a fresh start in his career, and he thought the Marlins offered that opportunity in 1997. However, Florida traded Hermanson and Joe Orsulak to the Montreal Expos for Cliff Floyd on March 26. Hermanson made the roster and the Expos gave him four middle-relief opportunities during the first dozen games. In his April 16 game against the Houston Astros, he hit a two-run home run off Shane Reynolds in his first major-league at-bat.

When manager Felipe Alou sought to add a fifth man in the starting rotation, he gave Hermanson the opportunity, his first since his college days. He won his first start, against the Chicago Cubs on April 22, and remained in the rotation for the balance of the season. He effectively used his new changeup to go along with his fastball and slider, while enjoying consistency from one start to the next.28 He pitched his first career shutout on July 15, including nine strikeouts over the Marlins, the team that gave up on him in the spring.

The Expos were obviously pleased with Hermanson’s transition to a starter role. Manager Alou was correct in his hunch to put Hermanson into the rotation. He emerged as their second-best starter behind Pedro Martinez, who had a career breakout season that earned him his first Cy Young Award. Hermanson lost his last three decisions to finish with an 8-8 record and a 3.69 ERA.

Meanwhile, in only their fifth season of existence, the Marlins won the World Series, over the Cleveland Indians. It could have been a case of “what might have been” remorse for Hermanson. But years later he had no regrets about having been traded. He said, “The Expos gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to be a starting pitcher and that has changed my career for the better.”29

Over the winter, Montreal traded Martinez, who was one year away from free agency, to the Boston Red Sox. Montreal received pitching prospects Carl Pavano and Tony Armas Jr. in return. With Martinez gone, Hermanson became the ace of the rotation for the Expos, who won only 65 games in 1998. In 30 starts, he compiled a 14-11 record and lowered his ERA to 3.13. It was the best season of his career as a starter.

A young Expos team had another poor season again in 1999, winning only 68 games. If not for Vladimir Guerrero’s offensive production (42 home runs, 131 RBIs, driving in 18 percent of the Expos’ runs), Montreal might have lost even more games. Hermanson kept his top-of-the-rotation spot. He was the senior member of the rotation at age 26. He led the team with 34 starts but won only nine games against 14 losses, while his ERA rose to 4.20.

Hermanson continued to demonstrate his durability on the Expos’ pitching staff in 2000, as he recorded 30-plus starts for the third consecutive season. He posted a 12-14 record and a 4.77 ERA for the fourth-place team.

Over the winter, Hermanson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.30 He joined their 2001 starting rotation that included top-flight pitchers Darryl Kile and Matt Morris. Hermanson finished behind them in wins and ERA (14-13, 4.45). The Cardinals were in a tight race with Houston for first place in the NL Central Division that went down to the last day of the season.31 In the next-to-last game, on October 6 with the teams tied for first, Hermanson was chased early in the game, giving up a Cardinals lead in the fourth. St. Louis ended up winning, 10-6. The Astros won the final game, resulting in a tie for the division title. With a 9-7 head-to-head record against St. Louis, the Astros were awarded the division title and St. Louis the wild card.32

The Cardinals faced the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Division Series. Hermanson’s only appearance came in Game Four, as he pitched three hitless innings to help the Cardinals even the series. The Diamondbacks ended up winning the championship game, 2-1.

The Cardinals dealt Hermanson to the Boston Red Sox over the winter for three minor-league players. In his first 2002 start, on April 3, he suffered a strained right groin on a wet mound in a rainout game.33 The injury kept him sidelined until July 20, when he made a relief appearance against the New York Yankees. After his one-inning return, he went on the disabled list again with a staph infection in his left elbow.34

Hermanson returned to action with a start on August 20 and recorded his only winning decision of the season. He was relegated to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, as the Red Sox finished 10½ games behind the Yankees. He pitched only 22 innings and finished with a 7.77 ERA for the season. Compared with an average of 190 innings in the previous five seasons, his season was a huge disappointment.

A dejected Hermanson was well aware that the Red Sox had a decision to make about his future with the team. Boston held an option for $7.5 million for 2003. He said, “I’d love to [return next year]. I know it’s going to be tough for them to make a decision on me because I’ve been out so long. I really do understand that but I’d love to make it up.”35

The Red Sox exercised their option to buy out Hermanson’s contract for $1 million, thinking they might be able to re-sign him for fewer dollars.36 However, in 2003 he went back to the Cardinals, who put him in the bullpen. He had a potential life-threatening moment at his apartment on May 26, when he got light-headed and thought he might be suffering a heart attack. Hermanson was taken by ambulance to a hospital for observation. After undergoing tests, it was determined he had suffered from acute lightheadedness. He was released the next afternoon and was told by doctors to take the night off.

He had been a close friend of Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile, who died the year before with blockages in his heart. Hermanson said, “I couldn’t help but think D.K. When you’re fairly young and in good condition, you don’t expect something like that to happen. It scares you.”37

Hermanson made 23 relief appearances with the Cardinals, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.46 ERA. After he declined an assignment to Triple-A Memphis, the Cardinals released him in late June. The San Francisco Giants, who were in first place by five games over Arizona, signed him on July 11 to a minor-league contract. After four starts with Triple-A Fresno, Hermanson was called up to the Giants on August 2.38 He was reunited with manager Felipe Alou, who had been with him in Montreal. Because the Giants’ starters had been significantly impacted by injuries, Hermanson was placed in the rotation.39 He was effective in six starts and three relief appearances, posting a 2-1 record and a 3.00 ERA.

Despite their pitching woes, the Giants ended up winning their division by 15½ games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. They lost to the Florida Marlins in four games in the Division Series. Hermanson saw relief duty in Game Four.

Hermanson re-signed with the Giants for 2004, for a “bargain basement” price of $800,000.40 Coming out of spring training, he vied for a spot in the starting rotation and won it. After 18 starts that produced a 4-4 record and a 4.59 ERA, manager Bruce Bochy decided to move Hermanson to the bullpen as the closer in early August. He replaced Matt Herges, who had been ineffective since the All-Star break.41 Hermanson ended up with 17 saves, yet he failed in his most important outing.

With three games left in the season and the Giants three games behind first-place Los Angeles, San Francisco had an opportunity to finish in a tie, since they played the Dodgers in the final three-game series. The Giants came up short, winning two of the three, with Hermanson taking the loss in the second game. He was called on to get the last out of the eighth and then came back in the bottom of the ninth to protect a 3-0 lead. But he ended up being responsible for four of the Dodgers’ seven runs, capped by Steve Finley’s walk-off grand slam.

Despite his failure in the final series, Hermanson’s versatility had come in handy for the Giants. He finished the season with a 6-9 record and a 4.53 ERA. He started 18 of his 47 appearances while also collecting 17 saves. He was the first Giants pitcher since Scott Garrelts in 1986 to save 10 games and make 10 starts in a season.42

Hermanson was not offered arbitration by the Giants and was released. He complained that the Giants had not paid him an incentive worth $200,000 owed to him for being in the starting rotation the entire season. He maintained that when he moved to the closer role, he did it for the good of the team. Hermanson said, “I was surprised [by their decision to withhold the bonus], and it made my decision very easy not to go back to San Francisco.43

The Chicago White Sox signed Hermanson to a two-year, $5.5 million contract with a club option for 2007. Well aware of his versatility over the years, they intended to use him initially as a set-up reliever. But he was also their contingency as a closer if incumbent Shingo Takatsu faltered in the role. White Sox GM Ken Williams said, “Dustin was looking for a closing job, but was also looking for a team he could win with.”44

It was his second stint in the American League. A.J. Pierzynski, who was the Giants’ catcher in 2004, also signed with the White Sox after being endorsed by Hermanson. By the first of May, Hermanson replaced Takatsu who had lost confidence in himself.45 Hermanson said, “I’ve always considered myself a closer at heart even when I was starting. That’s why I got myself into trouble throwing too many pitches because I was out there closing every inning and running myself into the ground.”46 Hermanson embraced his new role. He did not give up an earned run in his first 19 appearances, spanning April and May. By that point he had recorded 11 saves, and the White Sox were in first place by five games over Minnesota.

Hermanson’s streak of 21 scoreless innings ended on June 1, when he gave up two earned runs in the ninth inning in a 10-7 loss to the Angels. As of July 14, he had earned 22 saves in 23 opportunities.

Hermanson began to be affected by chronic back problems in mid-July. He was able to avoid going on the disabled list, but his condition caused the White Sox to consider other options for a closer as the trade deadline approached.47

Hermanson told manager Ozzie Guillén he was willing to go out and pitch as hard as he could, as long as he could get an occasional break.48 Hard-throwing rookie pitcher Bobby Jenks, who made his major-league debut on July 6, became an attractive late-inning option. Veteran Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts were other options. But Guillén finally decided to stand pat with the relief staff he had.

Hermanson and Jenks ended up sharing closer duties. Guillén drew criticism for continuing to lean on Hermanson, given his medical condition, during the tight race for a division title. Yet Hermanson didn’t have an issue with his utilization, countering that he’d still be pitching even if the team weren’t in contention. He said, “I don’t think I’d ever shut it down. When you start the season, you want to finish the season unless there’s an injury or your arm falls off.”49

The White Sox ended up winning the AL Central Division by six games over Cleveland. Hermanson racked up 34 saves (ninth in the AL) in 57 appearances, including conversion of 30 of his first 31 save opportunities. His 2.04 ERA was a career best. Hermanson earned a $150,000 bonus for finishing 45 games.50

Chicago swept Boston in three games in the Division Series. Jenks performed closer duty. Although Hermanson continued to suffer from occasional back spasms, he made it known to Guillén that he was ready to pitch. But he was not used in the series.

The White Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels in five games in the Championship Series. Their pitching was the key to their success, as all four White Sox wins came on complete games by the starters. The bullpen was called on only once, when Cotts pitched just two-thirds of an inning in the Game One loss.

Chicago’s hot streak in the playoff rounds leading up to the World Series continued against NL champion Houston Astros. Chicago swept the Astros in four games for its first World Series championship since 1917. In his first appearance since September 30, Hermanson pitched only one-third of an inning, in the marathon 14-inning Game Three. He entered the game in the eighth inning in a save opportunity with the White Sox leading, 5-4. With runners on first and second, he gave up a double to Jason Lane that tied the score.

During the offseason, Hermanson participated in a rehabilitation program in Phoenix to address his recurring lower-back problems. With Jenks handling closer duties during the postseason, the White Sox had an option to use Hermanson in a set-up or closer role. Before 2006 spring training, he wasn’t sure what his role would be. He said, “I imagine it will be similar to what it was at the start of last season with Shingo. I think I’ll probably set up some games and close some games.51

But soon after the players reported in mid-February, Guillén announced that Jenks would start the 2006 season as his closer. Hermanson experienced back pains again during spring training. At one point, he considered surgery. He said, “I hope it doesn’t come to that. But I can’t keep pitching with the pain I had last year. That’s why we’re resorting to pain management because we are not into the fixing part.” Yet he was also hesitant to rely too much on painkilling injections.52

Unable to overcome his pain, Hermanson was put on the 15-day disabled list to start the regular season and was assigned to Arizona for rehabilitation.53 From early July to early September, he did a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, making 14 appearances. He rejoined the White Sox on September 6 and ended up making six relief appearances, including three as closer.

The White Sox granted Hermanson free agency after the 2006 season, and he ended up signing a minor-league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in March 2007. He wasn’t able to return to his 2005 form, and he asked for his release rather than start the season at Triple A.54

Hermanson retired after his failed attempt to make the Reds roster. The 34-year-old looked forward to being at home with his wife, Melissa, and young children, Mia and Dreden. In an interview in June 2007, he said, “I have a back problem and I’m told there’s a chance I could hurt it worse if I continued to try to pitch.” He added, “I thank God for a career that allowed me to be able to raise my kids like this.”55

Hermanson finished his career with a 73-78 won-lost record and 56 saves in 357 games, which included 180 starts. He posted a 4.21 ERA and a 105 ERA+.

Last revised: March 1, 2025

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org.

Notes

1 Steve Rosenbloom, “Dustin Hermanson,” Chicago Tribune, June 8, 2005: 4, 10.

2 David Haugh, “A Cast of Characters,” Chicago Tribune, October 9, 2005: 17,6.

3 “Anniversaries,” Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun, June 21, 1991: 5B.

4 “Youth Honored for Alertness,” Springfield News-Sun, March 24, 1986: 13.

5 Andy Woodard, “Third Straight Trip a Rarity,” Springfield News-Sun, July 21, 1988: 17.

6 Ron Ware, “Cougars Claim District Crown,” Springfield News-Sun, May 19, 1989: 13.

7 “Prep Teams,” Dayton Daily News, May 27, 1990: 12-D.

8 Tim Bucey, “Pressure Off KR’s Hermanson,” Springfield News-Sun, November 28, 1990: 7.

9 Ben Begley, “Devils ‘Walk’ To Win,” Troy (Ohio) Daily News, May 17, 1991: 9.

10 “KR Pitcher, Coach Head All-Area Team,” Springfield News-Sun, May 26, 1991: 2C.

11 Ron Ware, “Hermanson Leans Toward Signing,” Springfield News-Sun, June 3, 1991: 5.

12 Jack McDermott, “Flashes Gain NCAA Tourney,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 17, 1992: 5-D.

13 John Wagner, “Tournament Losses End KSU’s Dream Season,” Ravenna (Ohio) Record-Courier, May 24, 1992: B1.

14 Ron Ware, “Dustin Answers Padres’ Prayers,” Springfield News-Sun, June 3, 1994: 13.

15 “Kent Nartker Named MAC’s Top Pitcher,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 18, 1993: 6-D.

16 “Flashes Maintain Top Spot in National ERA,” Ravenna Record-Courier, June 10,1993: B-2.

17 “Kent wins MAC Baseball Tournament,” Toledo Blade, May 23, 1993, D2.

18 Ron Ware, “Dustin Answers Padres’ Prayers.”

19 Golden Spikes Award Finalists. https://www.usabaseball.com/golden-spikes-award/nominees/finalists. Accessed June 16, 2024.

20 John Schlegel, “Is Dustin Another Hoffman?” North County Times (Oceanside, California), February 26, 1995: C1.

21 Schlegel: C5.

22 “Padres GM Disagrees With Union Stance,” The Californian (Temecula, California), February 22, 1995: B-3.

23 Tom Krasovic, “Strong-Armed Staff Has One Weakness,” San Diego Union Tribune, April 14, 1995: D4.

24 Bob Nightengale, “Padres Deliver the Goods Against Dodgers,” Los Angeles Times, May 9, 1995: C4.

25 Shaun O’Neill, “Warthen Delivers Familiar Message,” North County Times, March 7, 1996: C1.

26 Cheryl Rosenberg, “Hermanson’s New Dream Team,” Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Florida), February 20, 1997: 5C.

27 “Scouting the Marlins,” Miami Herald, February 20, 1997: 9.

28 Jeff Blair, “A Little Changeup in Hermanson’s Routine,” Montreal Gazette, May 15, 1997: F3.

29 Terry Scott, “Two Sides of Dustin Hermanson,” 1998 Expos Magazine: 64.

30 Montreal traded Hermanson and Steve Kline to the St. Louis Cardinals for Britt Reames and Fernando Tatis on December 14, 2000.

31 The season was extended six days in October to make up games deferred after the 9/11 attacks.

32 “Resolution of Ties in Division Races,” https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Resolution_of_ties_in_division_races. Accessed October 13, 2024.

33 Bob Hohler, “Hermanson’s Debut Spoiled by Injury,” Boston Globe, April 4, 2002: C3.

34 Bob Hohler, “Clubhouse Was a Chat Room,” Boston Globe, August 21, 2002: F6.

35 Hohler, “Clubhouse Was a Chat Room.”

36 Bob Hohler, “Sox Opt to Buy Out Hermanson,” Boston Globe, November 1, 2002: D2.

37 Joe Strauss, “Hermanson Sits One Out After Fearing Heart Attack,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 28, 2003: D5.

38 “Giants Steer Clear of Sweep,” San Francisco Examiner, August 4, 2003: 15.

39 “Correia’s Start Another Omen for Giants,” San Francisco Examiner, August 12, 2003: 14.

40 Larry Krueger, “Too Many Questions,” San Francisco Examiner, January 9, 2004: 20.

41 John Crowley, “Closer Search Ends,” San Francisco Examiner, August 4, 2004: 34.

42 Mark Gonzales, “Set Up to Succeed in Any Role,” Chicago Tribune, March 9, 2005: 4, 4.

43 Mark Gonzales, “Set Up to Succeed in Any Role.”

44 “White Sox Sign Hermanson,” San Francisco Examiner, December 9, 2004: 35.

45 Mark Gonzales, “Door Is Closing on Takamatsu,” Chicago Tribune, April 21, 2005: Section 4, 3.

46 David Haugh, “Closing: Whole New Ballgame,” Chicago Tribune, May 20, 2005: Section 4, 5.

47 Dave van Dyck, “Closer on Shopping List,” Chicago Tribune, July 20, 2005: Section 4, 3.

48 Mark Gonzales, “Hermanson Has Inflamed Disc in Back but Will Pitch,” Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2005: Section 4, 3.

49 Mark Gonzales, “McCarthy Trying to Pace Self During Stretch,” Chicago Tribune, September 27, 2005: Section 4, 4.

50 Mark Gonzales, “Uribe Takes Advice, Gets Striking Results,” Chicago Tribune, October 5, 2005: Section 9, 7.

51 Mark Gonzales, “Closer or Setup Suits Hermanson,” Chicago Tribune, February1, 2006: Section 4, 3.

52 Mark Gonzales, “Painful Choices Await Hermanson,” Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2006: Section 3, 8.

53 Mark Gonzales, “Hermanson’s Next Stop? Disabled List,” Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2006: Section 3, 8.

54 Kyle Nagel, “Red Release KR’s Hermanson on Eve of Opening Day,” Springfield News-Sun, April 2, 2007: D1.

55 Kermit Rowe, “Fatherly Hermanson OK With Retirement,” Springfield Sun-News, June 17, 2007: B1.